Knitters Connection Website :: Class Description

2010 Class Description

Please note that this website has the most up-to-date information about classes. If the website differs from the brochure, the website is correct.

Classes are divided into 3 skill levels. Each class description below, will have the letter "B", "I" or "E" in the title, to help you decide if a class is right for you:

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

Classes are also organized by type:

Projects P

Stitch Patterns S

Techniques T

Design D

Class times

AM - 8:30 am - 11:30 am

PM - 1:30 - 4:30 pm

ALL - 8:30 - 11:00 and 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Wednesday Classes

W11 D (I) Will Build a Better Bag Gwen Bortner AM

Modular knitting has been a rage with Horst Schultz’s Patchwork Knitting and Vivian Hoxbro’s recent Domino Knitting. Learn how to create separate and joined mitered squares by knitting a sample and understand how to size your squares when positioned as diamonds for a simple sleeveless top.

Supplies:

Coordinated colors of smooth, medium/worsted weight yarn
Corresponding double-pointed needles
Ruler or stitch gauge
Split-ring stitch markers

W12 P (I) Flat to In-the-Round and Back Again Cookie A AM

Learn how to convert a stitch pattern from flat directions to in-the-round and vice versa. We'll cover inverting stitches from wrong side to right side and right side to wrong side, tricks for patterns that don't convert easily into the round, and how to handle edge stitches. Students can bring their own patterns for converting or they can leaf through stitch pattern books.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles

W13 D (B) Chill Out Hybrid Shawl Candace Eisner Strick AM

Knit a purely relaxing, beautifully fitting shawl without any hassle of reading patterns or charts. Use any weight yarn, any size needles, make it any size. Worked from the top down, this shawl incorporates easy shaping that makes it stay on your shoulders. You can finish it off in any number of different ways….bind off, easy crochet edge bind off, or knit a ruffly border.

Supplies:

About 2 ounces of any weight yarn
Appropriately sized needles
One crochet hook the same size as needles

W14 P (I) Introduction to History, Methods & Styles of Lace Knitting Franklin Habit AM

Learn the basic principles and techniques of knitting’s grandest tradition. Beginnings and endings, chart reading, lifelines, nupps and other fancy maneuvers, edgings, dealing with mistakes, blocking finished work, and more. Learn about the great national “schools” of knitted lace and what makes them unique.

Supplies:

1 ball Dale Baby Ull or quivalent in white or light color. Wool or another non-slippery animal fiber is recommended.
1 pair US size 3 needles, 8” or longer or circular needle (24” suggested length)
Stitch markers (at least 6)
Row counter recommended, but optional
Basic notions: scissors, yarn needle
Notebook and pen/pencil

W15 P (I) Sidekicks, Socks knit from East to West Janel Laidman AM

Go beyond the novelty of a sideways sock and explore the unique design possibilities of this sock construction. Strategies for shaping and heel construction, how to compensate for elasticity differences in this approach and the unique benefits of sideways socks. Students will knit a mini-sock in class and receive a full size pattern to knit on their own.

Supplies:

Fingering weight sock yarn (this technique works well with painted yarns)
Needles (dpns or circular) appropriate to yarn

W16 S (B) Forgotten Mesh Ruth Lantz AM

Great stitches for garments that layer as they are stable and stay open and airy. More variations than you ever imagined – and they don’t collapse!

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn in cottons (not as stretchy as wool)
Needles appropriate to yarn chosen

W17 D (I) The Next Step – Designing Modular Garments Ginger Luters AM

You know how to knit triangles, squares, mitered squares, now what do you do with this information? How do you incorporate it into actual garments? In this class we’ll go through the process of designing modular garments using a variety of modular knitting techniques.

Supplies:

Graph paper (4 squares per inch)
Colored pencils or crayons
Samples of modular pieces or garments you have knitted.

W21 T (I) No Wrong Side – Reversible Fabrics Gwen Bortner PM

Reversible fabrics are great for blankets, shawls, scarves, even sweaters, but what makes a fabric reversible? And more importantly, how can you hide the ends so both sides can truly be the right side? Learn the secrets of creating truly reversible fabrics as well as their "reasonably" reversible counterparts along with tips and tricks of finishing reversible projects. Finally, be inspired to create a reversible project of your own design.

Supplies:

2 oz of a smooth worsted weight yarn in a light color
Needles appropriate to the yarn

W22 T (I) Intuitive Chart Reading - Cables Cookie A PM

Learn how to read cable charts intuitively. We'll spend a lot of time talking about cables and cable chart symbols and then students will practice working from sample charts. Students will see the connection between charts and the resulting knitting, how to read their knitting to determine where they are within a chart, various types of chart symbols (including Japanese and German), and how to read cable charts without a key. As an extra bonus, we'll also talk about cabling without a cable needle.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles
Cable needle

W23 T (I) Tradition Candace Eisner Strick PM

Tradition can be as precarious as a fiddler on the roof, but when you know a few traditional techniques and styles, you can make a plain sweater sing. Learn Channel Island cast on, Fair Isle corrugated rib, Latvian braids, Shetland Lace, and Norwegian lice.

Supplies:

At least 2 colors (high contrast) of worsted weight yarn
appropriately sized double pointed needles and straight needles (or circular; can be used to knit back and forth)

W24 T (I) Stranded Colorwork for Socks Janel Laidman PM

Learn tips and tricks to make your stranded colorwork socks fit well and look great! Strategies to compensate for lack of elasticity, keeping tension even, choosing yarn and color effects. Knit a min-sock in class and receive a full size pattern to knit on your own.

Supplies:

Fingering weight sock yarn (this technique works well with painted yarns)
Needles (dpns or circular) appropriate to yarn

W25 T (I) X’s and O’s Ruth Lantz PM

Adding lace throughout your cables balances the density of a fabric. One contracts while the other spreads. Learn the secrets of knitting them together, how to read charts and understand different yarn overs.

Supplies:

Worsted or sports weight yarn
Needles appropriate to yarn chosen

W26 D (I) Designing with Short Rows Ginger Luters PM

While short rows have many functional uses, they can also be used as a design tool. In this class we’ll knit a variety of unique shapes and learn to use this technique in creative new ways. Homework:
Knit a 20 stitch swatch in St st, approx. 3” tall. Do not bind off.

Supplies:

3 or more balls of yarn, various colors, similar weight
Needles to use with these yarns

W31 T (B) Stranding and Steeking Amy Detjen ALL

Launch into 2-color knitting (Fair Isle, Norwegian, Armenian) with an arsenal of tips for knitting with 2 colors (traditionally one color in each hand). It truly is much easier than it looks. We’ll do stranded knitting to avoid puckers and tangles and purls (oh my!). We will knit a sample, and just when it starts looking like something lovely, we’ll cut it apart, practicing the crocheted steek. This swatch becomes almost worthless when we cut it, but a clever knitter can turn it into a sweater or vest for a bear or a doll.

Supplies:

2 balls of yarn – a light and a dark
24 inch circular needles in size appropriate for your yarn

Homework:

Using either color (knitter's choice), cast on 132 sts. Join into a circle, being careful not to twist the stitches over the needle. Keep a 9-stitch section in Stocking Stitch (knit all stitches) and the other 123 stitches in k1, p1 ribbing. Work 8 or 10 rows, then stop and bring this to class, along with a second color of the same weight yarn.

W32 P (B) Five Hour Baby Sweater Martha Gifreda ALL

Need a baby gift in a hurry? Have a cold baby of your own? Or, do you just want instant gratification? Try this cute baby sweater that can be knit in a day.

Supplies:

4 oz skein of smooth worsted weight wool (at least)
Size 10 ½ needles, either circular or pair of single-points

W33 D (A) Sweater Fitting Basics Debra M Lee ALL

Learn to decipher sweater patterns before you cast on. Learn how and where to shorten, lengthen and adjust the shape for a better fit – some light math. In class, you’ll adapt a pullover pattern to fit you. Wear fitted clothing - a tank top is perfect - so that accurate measurements can be taken.

Supplies:

A 1/2" or 1" belt that fits around your waist
Writing pencil and optional color pencils for note taking
Ruler/straight edge
Calculator (for some light math)
Flexible tape measure.

W34 T (A) Understanding Japanese Knitting Patterns Gayle Roehm ALL

Western knitters aren’t familiar with Japanese hand knitting designers, but their creative and often unusual designs can open up another world of knitting for you. Even without knowledge of Japanese, you can knit from Japanese knitting patterns once you become familiar with the charted format. We’ll learn how to “read” a schematic, and how to find basic information such as gauge. We’ll also cover the symbols used in stitch charts, which are standard among all Japanese publishers. Bring any Japanese patterns that you may have questions about. You must be comfortable knitting from charts. Please note also that we won’t go into the process of re-sizing; that’s covered by many other excellent KC instructors.

Supplies:

scrap yarn for swatching
appropriate needles

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Thursday Classes

T11 T (I) Flat to Circular and Back Again Gwen Bortner AM

If you hate seams, but love stitch dictionaries, then learn how to take patterns written row by row and convert them to round by round. If the pattern is already charted, it can be even easier. Learn what to do with those extra edge stitches,the importance of stitch repeats and the secrets to selecting patterns that are easy to convert. Students will practice converting several stitch patterns to work circularly and convert a circular pattern to be worked flat.

Homework:

Select a pattern stitch of your choice with a minimum 4 row repeat and maximum 8 row repeat and a stitch repeat of no more than 10 sts. Work a minimum to two stitch and row repeats in selected pattern in light colored smooth worsted weight yarn.

Supplies:

A copy of the pattern selected
homework swatch
minimum of 1 oz of the same yarn used in the homework
DPN or short circulars in the same size used for the homework swatch.

T12 T (I) Knitting on the Bias Cookie A AM

Biased knitting can be fun and exciting, especially in garter stitch or with self striping yarns. Learn how to create a biased piece, tips and tricks for working on the bias, and how to seam pieces knit on the bias. We'll also talk a little bit about how to calculate your own shapes worked on the bias which can be math intensive (ratios, triangles, slope, and the pythagorean theorem). If you aren't comfortable with math, feel free to ignore that information and work on the other components of the class which can surely keep you busy.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles
Tapestry needle

T13 T (B) Socks on Circs Amy Detjen AM

Learn how to knit socks using either 2 - 24" circular needles, or 1 - 40-60" circular needle (aka Magic Loop). These techniques work on socks from the top down, or from the toe up. You can work one sock at a time, or work them simultaneously. These techniques also work for sleeves and any other type or tubular knitting.

Supplies:

Two balls of matching sock yarn
circular needles (2-24 inch or 1 40-60 inch) in size appropriate for your yarn.

T14 T (B) Conquering the Edge Ruth Lantz AM

End your rows with panache. Solve some stringy, loose, selvedge edge problems. Add edge stitch manipulations to your knitting repertoire – don’t just end the row.

Supplies:

1 skein fingering weight yarn
Size # 2 US needles. Bring extra pair to make belt loop
2 tubes size 6/0 beads
Steel crochet hook size #9 / 1.25 mm

Supplies:

1 skein fingering weight yarn
Size #2 needles. Bring extra pair to make belt loop
2 tubes size 6/0 beads
Steel crochet hook size #9 / 1.25 mm

T15 T (I) Shadow Knitting Debra M Lee AM

Look at shadow knitting one way, it’s all stripes. Look at it another way, you see images in the “shadows”. Shadow knitting uses one yarn across the row at a time in a combination of knit and purl stitches. Learn this easy technique by making a multi-color sample in class.

Supplies:

Smooth, solid color yarns of the same weight in at least 2 contrasting colors. Recommend light/sport or medium/worsted weight yarn if possible
Corresponding knitting needles and split-ring stitch markers

T16 T (B) Beginning Tunisian Crochet Ginger Luters AM

This fun-to-work-technique is often described as a combination of knit and crochet. While is usually produces a fabric that is dense and firm, suitable for bags or pillows, when it’s worked on large needles the result can be a drapey fabric that is perfect for scarves, shawls and other garments.

Supplies:

3 or more yarns of various colors and textures (worsted weight)
Tunisian crochet hook (can be found at craft stores or online)- size M or N swatch.

T17 T (A) Challenging Stitches from Japanese Designs Gayle Roehm AM

Japanese knitting stitches are always presented in charts, using standardized symbology. From hundreds of stitch patterns, I’ve chosen a handful that will be new and different for experienced knitters. Some of the charts are difficult to interpret, and some of the stitches are difficult to execute, so bring an adventuresome attitude. Some of these are really fun! We’ll do a quick review of Japanese stitch symbology, then you’ll swatch at least six stitch patterns. You should have some familiarity with Japanese designs. You must be comfortable knitting from charts – none of these stitches are given in words. Bring a Japanese stitch pattern that may have baffled you, if you have one.

Supplies:

Two or three balls of smooth yarn in different colors in sport to worsted weight (these can be leftovers)
Appropriate needles
Have a few extra needles on hand.

T18 S (B) Simply Fabulous Single Crochet Mary Beth Temple AM

Despite the urban legends, you don’t need amazing crochet skills nor tons of yarn to turn out beautiful, stylish accessories. In this class I will teach you three incredibly easy scarf and neckwarmer patterns that utilize only the chain stitch and the single crochet stitch. These look great enough for anyone from beginner on up to want to make, but are simple enough that a new crocheter can make one quickly, which will encourage her to go on make more projects, and of course buy more yarn!

T21 T (I) Entrelac Basics Gwen Bortner PM

Have you always wanted to learn entrelac but thought it would be too hard. Whether a beginner or advanced knitter, this class is for you. During this class, each student will have the opportunity to knit a small project to gain hands on experience in the entrelac technique. Participants will learn the seamless entrelac technique and basic entrelac construction techniques. A discussion of other project possibilities will also be included. Homework:With one of the two colors, cast on 36 sts on to DPN divided evenly between 4 needles and join without twisting. Work 3 rows of purl and leave on needles.

Supplies:

1 oz each of two different colors of worsted wool (non-machine washable)
5.5 mm (US#9) DPN set of 5 needles 6” – 8” (wood or plastic)

T22 S (I) Oddball Stitches Cookie A PM

There's a world of knitting stitches out there beyond your usual knit, purl, cables, decreases, and yarnovers. In this class we'll cover all sorts of oddball stitches that add texture and fun. Learn about wrapped / clustered stitches, an easier way to do a quadruple decrease, nupps, bobbles, and slipped stitchery.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles
Cable needle

T23 T (B) Tunisian Stitches Ruth Lantz PM

These knitted and crocheted stitches make a beautifully flat, non-curling fabric. Great for purses or garments. It takes two rows of knitting or crochet to make a complete stitch. Explore both techniques and compare the end product – some are very deceiving.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarns
Needles one or more sizes larger than recommended
Crochet hooks one or more sizes larger than recommended

T24 T (I) Unique Knitted Trims Ginger Luters PM

We’ll take a look at a variety of knitted trims that can be used on knit, crochet and hand woven garments. First we’ll knit samples of trims that are quick and easy, and then go on to explore a few that are more complex. Homework: Knit a 20 stitch swatch in Stockinette stitch, approx 4” high.

Supplies:

3 or more balls of yarn (partial balls are fine), same weight yarn as your swatch
Needles to use with these yarns

T25 T (I) Beaded Scarf Judy Pascale PM

This no pre-stringing class develops a unique fashion accessory-"THE BEADED SCARF." In addition to viewing completed scarfs modeled in a variety of ways, you will knit critical segments of a mini version of the provided entire patterns.

Supplies:

1/4 skein of SOLID color fingering weight yarn for class sample Example: Cherry Tree Hill sock/fingering weight
Needles size 5 & 6 either 24" circular or straight

T26 T(I) Knitted-On Fringes Gayle Roehm PM
A fringed border can be a nice finish for a scarf or other garment, but cut yarn fringes tend to wear out quickly. In this class, we’ll try two fringes that are actually knitted onto the garment as you work. These fringes wear much better and look nicer. If you change your mind, you can unravel and re-use your yarn.

Supplies:

Basics (with cable needle, sewing-up needle, note taking gear, crochet hook)
Two or three balls of smooth yarn in sport to worsted weight (these can be leftovers)
Appropriate needles, plus at least one extra needle or crochet hook.

T27 T(B) Stick It! Mary Beth Temple PM

Half the battle with crochet patterns is knowing where to stick the hook! Join us as we explore how stitch placement changes stitch patterns by working front and back loop only stitches, front and back post stitches, and stitches in chain spaces vs. in specific chains in the space.

T31 P (I) The Geometry is in the Bag Candace Eisner Strick ALL

Remember high school geometry? You never thought you would ever use it, right? Finally, you've got a chance!! Learn how to knit interlocking diamonds and how to make them into an incredible bag. Handles options are limitless, and you can even make your own. If you wish, you can felt your woolen bag.

Supplies:

As many colors of worsted weight 100% wool yarn you can find. Anything from 2 yds to 2 ounces will work.
Appropriately sized needles.

T32 T (I) Double Knitting Martha Gifreda ALL

Double knitting is a technique that creates a double-thick fabric with two, count ‘em, two right sides. In this class we’ll make a hot pad with a nice touch: edges that all match.

Supplies:

2 skeins smooth worsted weight yarn, in two different colors (wool is nice, but not required
16” circular needle in appropriate size (or pair of straight needles, if that’s what you prefer)
Crochet hook of correct size to work with two strands of yarn together

T33 P (I) EZ Tomten Jacket and Garter Jacquard Franklin Habit AM

This intense but fun class tackles an iconic design by a legendary knitter, working through a doll-szied version from cast-on to cast-off. In addition, you’ll learn the beautiful, little known garter stitch jacquard technique and I-cord edgings and buttonholes, afterthought pockets, garter stitch grafting and more.

Supplies:

1 ball worsted-weight yarn in white or light color (200 yards)
1 ball worsted-weight yarn in contrasting color (200 yards)
1 pair straight 10” or longer needles or equivalent circular needle, in a size appropriate to yield a firm fabric
2-3 dpns of either the same size as above, or one size smaller
At least 2 stitch markers
At least 2 stitch holders - or a length of scrap yarn
Basic notions: scissors, yarn needle
Notebook and pen/pencil

Important! The Tomtem Jacket pattern is NOT provided as a part of the class handouts. Each student will need to have his/her own copy. Schoolhouse Press sells copies of this pattern (www.schoolhousepress.com) or can be purchased at the Knitters Mercantile booth in the Knitters Market prior to class.

T34 S (A) Encyclopedia Organica – 12 New, Original Lace Stitch Patterns and How They were Born Janel Laidman ALL

Have you pored over every stitch dictionary you can find and discover you’re still hungry for more? This class is for budding designers and lace knitters. 12 brand new original lace stitch patterns are introduced. Learn how these patterns were designed and then try your hand at designing your own.

Supplies:

Fingering weight yarn in solid color
Needles (straight or circular) appropriate to yarn chosen

T35 T (B) Beginning Spinning at the Wheel Amy Tylor ALL

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the craft of creating yarn with a spinning wheel. We will spin "singles" from wool rovings, and then create a 2-ply yarn from those singles. We will touch on washing fleeces, carding and combing, care of your wheel, and finishing yarns.

Supplies:

Participants will need to bring a spinning wheel in good working order, with at least one bobbin.

Additional Fees for materials:

$15 (includes samples for examination, fibers for spinning, notebook with handouts)

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Friday Classes

F11 D (I) Hand Dyed Solutions Gwen Bortner AM

Are those beautiful hand-dyed yarns just waiting for the perfect project? Do the striping properties or the pools of color create a disappointing finished product. A variety of simple techniques and utilizing multiple yarns can provide outstanding results. Discussion of dye repeats and basic color analysis will also enhance the students of understanding of methods to take that beautiful hand-dyed skein and create and equally beautiful knitted fabric.

Supplies:

At least one each of a hand-dyed yarn, one coordinating solid and one contrasting solid of similar weights – 1 oz each
Circular or double pointed needles appropriate to yarn

F12 T (B) Essential Cast Ons Amy Detjen AM

Every knitter has a favorite Cast-On. You may never need to know another, but what if you do? We’ll cover the benefits and features of Long-Tail (and some variations), Provisional, and Knitted-On Cast-Ons. For the adventuresome student, I’ll also demonstrate the 2-Needle Cast-On created by June Hemmons Hiatt and featured in The Principles of Knitting – the most elastic one I’ve ever found.

Supplies:

One ball of yarn
Needles (straight or circular) in size appropriate for your yarn
Second needle (dpn or circular) about a US 2 or 3
Crochet hook (D, E, or F)
You may also want some string tags to label your swatches so you know which cast on was used for each

F13 T (B) Photographing Your Fiber Franklin Habit PM

Bring your own camera and small project or two, and learn the basics of lighting, depth of field, stying, and common fiber-photo issues like capturing true color and capturing lace – a must for any fiber fanatic who keeps a blog or a profile on Ravelry. Learn to make and use a simple light box from easy to find materials. No prior knowledge of photography is necessary. The emphasis is on getting the best results from your camera.

Supplies:

Camera (preferably digital) and its manual (if available)
Project or two to photograph
Notebook and pen/pencil

F14 D (I) Modular Magic – Log Cabin Quilt Blocks Ginger Luters AM

The Log Cabin quilt block pattern is one of the easiest quilt patterns to knit in a modular technique, yet it offers us many design possibilities. In this class we’ll knit a basic Log Cabin quilt block and then go on to explore some design variations.

Supplies:

A group of light colored yarns and a group of dark colored yarns
Color to be used in the center of the block (usually red or rust)
These yarns should all be of similar weight (DK or worsted)

S14 T (B) Entrelac Basics Debra M Lee AM

Master entrelac knitting basics by creating a sample in six easy steps. Taken from the French word “entrelacer” which means interlace or interwine, entrelac knitting creates a fabric that looks like interlaced diagonal rectangles. It’s a great way to use up your leftover yarns.

Supplies:

Medium/worsted weight yarn
corresponding double-pointed or circular needles (plus a pair 2 sizes larger to cast on with)

F15 P (I) From Shapely Shawlette to Full Shawl Judy Pascale AM

Altered design techniques are employed to maintain all the wonderful features of the Shapely Shawlette including the hugging neckline and graceful drape but now in a full size shawl. In this class you will learn the hugging neckline while creating 2 mini samples using the lace and garter rows that will transform the Shapely Shawlette into a full Shawl.

Supplies:

Skein of fingering weight yarn.
Size # 9 needles either 24” circular or straight
Markers to identify center stitch

F16 D (B) Diversity of Wool Amy Tyler AM

Merino, Cormo, Finn, Costwold, Wensleydale, Romney, Corriedale, and more! The wool from different breeds of sheep can vary substantially in softness, strength, elasticity, luster, and feltability. Through hands-on examination, we will explore these widely varying characteristics of wool. In addition to sheep breed, other factors will be addressed that influence the characteristics of the final wool project. We will examine samples of unspun fiber, yarns, and knitted swatches of over a dozen sheep breeds. There will be fiber and yarns to test-spin, -knit, or -crochet.

Supplies:

No supplies are necessary. But, participants may bring a drop spindle or spinning wheel if they want to spin, or knitting needles if they want to knit, or crochet hooks if they want to crochet.

F21 D (I) Knit a Masterpiece from Leftover Yarn Gwen Bortner PM

If you knit enough projects you have left over yarn -- a lot of it! Or maybe you just buy a single skein as a souvenir from your travels. But the question remains, what to do with all those bits, pieces and odd skeins. Class begins by learning how to organize the yarn for easier use. Next working with the yarn brought to class, experiment with different fabrics that only require a minimal amount of any given yarn. Finally, discuss options for utilizing the fabrics to create a masterpiece project.

Supplies:

A wide variety of left over yarns (approx. 1/2 oz of each), balled up and ready to be used -- a minimum of 10 yarns (more is fine). Please bring yarn you are willing to share with your fellow classmates as it will enhance the learning experience
2 oz of a smooth black worsted weight yarn
6.0mm (US #10) needles

F22 T (B) Double Knitting 101 Amy Detjen PM

Learn the basics of Double Knitting, including casting on, increasing, decreasing , and binding off. We’ll practice both Open Edge stitches and Closed Edge stitches, and discuss when to use each. I’ll demonstrate both methods of working DK (both sides in one pass, and 2 passes per row). If you don’t know what that last sentence means, take the class and learn about your options!

Supplies:

2 balls of yarn – a light and a dark
24 inch circular needles in size appropriate for your yarn

F23 T (B) Polymer Clay Buttons Kathy Dummer PM

It’s frustrating to have finished a beautiful knit garment, and not be able to find just the right buttons. Learn how to shape polymer clay into unique buttons that look just right on your garment.

F24 T (I) Understanding Mosaic Knitting Ginger Luters PM

Explore this fascinating slip stitch technique that produces colorful knitted fabrics that resemble Fair Isle designs while only working with one color per row. We’ll learn to knit simple geometric patterns and then go on to explore more complex figurative designs.

Supplies:

3 or more balls of yarn, similar weight (DK or worsted), and strongly contrasting colors
Needles to use with these yarns (one or two sizes larger than you would normally use)

F25 T (B) Suitable Seams Judy Pascale PM

This class will present a variety of techniques to seam together sections of a garment. Emphasis is on producing a smooth nearly invisible transition; a trick accomplished by selecting the most appropriate seaming process to join particular stitch patterns and to determine the precise location to insert the sewing needle for optimum results. Ultimately, the goal is to create the illusion that the garment was created in one continuous piece.

Homework: (Using a split marker or piece of yarn, mark the top of swatch at bind off edge.)

All swatches:

1) Yarn: 4 or 5 stitches per inch to be able to see seam area clearly.

2) Use a non-textured light color yarn.

3) Needle size recommended on the label either on straights or 24" circular

Cast on 16 stitches. Leave yarn attached from cast on row for seaming on samples (a-e). Work for 13 rows. Bind off. Make two of each of the following:

a) k1, p1 ribb) Stockinette Stitch

Note: a) and b) can be one continuous piece

c) Reversed Stockinette Stitch

d) Seed Stitch

e) Garter Stitch

1) Cast on 12 stitches. Knit back. Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch. Leave live stitches on needle. Make two.

2) Cast on 12 stitches. Knit back. Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch. Bind off. Make two.

Supplies:

Bring small quantity of yarn in a contrasting color and yarn used for swatches for seaming

F26 T (B) I-Cord Edging and More Amy Tyler PM

“I-cords” make wonderful, stable edges on a knitted piece, worked along with the knitted piece or added later. By knitting a sampler wrist warmer, we will cover strategies for I-cords cast-ons, bind-offs buttonholes, and side edges; and grafting I-cords into a seamless circle. Participants will leave with a pattern for full-sized I-cord wrist warmers.

Supplies:

2-5 balls of smooth yarns (sport to heavy worsted weight)
Several sizes of knitting needles to suit the yarn: straight, double-pointed, and circular
Stitch holders
Darning needle.

F31 D (I) Sock Innovation: Top Down Sock Design Cookie A ALL

This workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced sock knitters who are interested in a hands-on approach to designing their own socks. Students can bring in stitch patterns or choose stitch patterns from books during class. We will go over key calculations that need to be made for a standard top down sock using the students' chosen stitch patterns. By the end of this class, students should have a good start on their very own sock, and the necessary tools to complete the sock on their own. The morning session is lecture format, and the second session is hands-on, and students will have time to knit and ask questions as they design their own socks.

Supplies:

Sock yarn
Appropriately sized needles ( dpns, 2 circular needs, magic loop – whatever student is comfortable with

F32 D (I) Vivaldi Concerto Candace Eisner Strick ALL

Musicians like to make fun of the prolific composer Vivaldi by saying he wrote 1 concerto 400 times. With this top down template you can make one sweater in a myriad of different styles: bolero, or sweater, you can swing the back, slope the front, add cables, lace, make it long, make it short, lengthen the sleeves, etc. Become the Vivaldi of the knitting world!

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
appropriately sized needles for sweater body
double pointed needles for sleeves
a sweater that you like the fit of either for yourself or for someone else

F33 D (I) NO SEW Sweaters Debra M Lee ALL

Learn a seam-by-seam approach to convert a sweater pattern worked in four pieces (i.e., front, back, and sleeves) and sewn together into a pattern that you work from the bottom-up in one piece without sewn seams or steeks. Converting stitch patterns for circular knitting, short rows and three-needle bind-off will be covered.

Supplies:

Paper and pencil
Calculator
Split-ring Stitch Markers and yarn needle
In the same weight yarn used for homework, bring smooth, solid color yarn in contrasting color
Corresponding double-pointed needles.

Homework

Using smooth, solid color yarn and corresponding size needles, cast on 48 stitches. Rows 1-6: knit. Row 7 (RS): knit. Row 8: purl. Repeat rows 7 and 8 until piece measures 4 inches from the beginning. Leave stitches on the needles and bring to class.

F33§ (B) Stranding and Steeks Amy Detjen ALL This class is filled!

Launch into 2-color knitting (Fair-Isle, Norwegian, Armenian) with an arsenal of tips for knitting with 2 colors (traditionally one color in each hand). It truly is much easier than it looks. We'll do stranded knitting to avoid puckers and tangles and purls (oh my!). We will knit a sample, and just when it starts looking like something lovely, we’ll cut it apart, practicing the crocheted steek. This swatch becomes almost worthless when we cut it, but a clever knitter can turn it into a sweater or vest for a bear or doll.

Supplies:

Two balls of yarn (a light and a dark)
Circular needles (1-16 inch or 2-24 inch) in size appropriate for your yarn.

Homework:

F34 S (A) Even More Challenging Stitches form Japanese Designs Gayle Roehm ALL

Japanese hand knitting patterns often use complex and interesting stitch patterns. This class will introduce you to ten or more patterns that present unusual challenges in executing the stitch or deciphering the chart. If you took the 3-hour “Challenging Stitches” class, these patterns are all new and even harder. Bring an adventurous attitude!

Supplies:

Basics (with cable needle, sewing-up needle, note taking gear, crochet hook)
Two or three balls colors of smooth yarn in sport to worsted weight (these can be leftovers)
Appropriate needles, including needles for your preferred method of circular knitting (dpn’s or two circulars). Have a few extra needles or dpn’s on hand.

F35 D (I) Independent Pattern Publishing Mary Beth Temple ALL

Technological advances have created opportunities for independent designers that we couldn’t even dream of ten years ago-- do you really need to work with traditional publishers any more? Maybe not – but you do need to put some serious thought as well as hard work into your pattern business if you want to earn money at it. It IS hard work – you wear a lot of hats when you publish your own work, from photographer to editor to layout person. But you also retain creative and legal control over your designs, which can be gratifying from both an artistic and financial standpoint. Learn how to get your first pattern ready to launch. We will cover all of the variables for producing single patterns – including production, pricing, online distribution and promotion, and wholesale opportunities for print products.

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Saturday Classes

S11 D (B) Making Money from Your Hobby Gwen Bortner AM

So often we dream of getting paid for doing what we love. But can you really make enough money to make it worthwhile. If so, how do you possibly get started in the industry? Get answers to these and many questions along with an overview of the MANY ways you can make money with your knit or crochet skills. Discussion will include the pros and cons of each type of endeavor, the basic skills required to be successful and tips for getting started off on the right foot. You probably won't get rich, but you may be able to pay for your hobby.

S12 D (I) The Cable Suckage Factor Cookie A AM

Ever notice how cables suck the knitted fabric in? Ever wonder what your gauge will be in a complicated cable pattern? This class will show you how to predict just how much the cables in a particular pattern will affect the final gauge. We'll knit swatches so that each student can determine their own personal cable suckage factor. Cut down on swatching time for cables in the future!

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles
Cable needle

S13 T (B) 10 Things Mother Never Told You About Candace Eisner Strick AM

Are you still doing the cast on, decreasing and other techniques tt your mother taught you umpteen years ago? No matter how long you’ve been knitting, you can still refine your techniques to make your knitting look neater and more professional. We will cover 10 techniques that will take you through the millennium: cable edge cast on, 1 row buttonhole, how to rip, picking up stitches neatly, the best increases and decreases and where to use them, delayed bind off, grafting, 3 needle bind off, sewing a seam, and a provisional cast-on.

Supplies:

2 ounces any weight yarn
Appropriately sized needles
One set dpns in same size

S14 T (B) Entrelac Basics Debra M Lee AM

Supplies:

Medium/worsted weight yarn
Corresponding double-pointed or circular needles (plus a pair 2 sizes larger to cast on with)

S15 T (B) What ELSE to do with those Luscious Fibers - Awaken the Fiber Artist Within via Silk Fusion Susan Rivers AM

“Silk Fusion” is individual silk strands and other fibers adhered together with a fabric medium to make pieces of versatile material which can stand alone or be incorporated into other projects. The finished product is a strong but gossamer like silk paper and the process is a treat for the “tactically” inclined.

Supplies:

$20 fee for kit
Fibers if you have them
Wear something that might get wet

S16 S (A) Exploring 250 Stitches Gayle Roehm AM

Are you one of those knitters who can’t resist the elaborate, gorgeous stitches in the book “Knitting Patterns Book 250” by Hitomi Shida? We will sample some of the more challenging patterns, with particular attention to advanced stitch combinations. All these patterns are charted, and some of the more complex stitches are explained only in Japanese. You must be very comfortable knitting from charts. You must own this book; see “homework” for sources. Instructor will not be selling the book in class. Homework:Students must purchase the book in advance of the class. The title is “Knitting Patterns Book 250” by Shida Hitomi and the ISBN is 978-4-529-04176-8. It is available from a number of sources, including:• Needlearts Bookshop http://www.needleartsbookshop.com/Japanese_Knitting_Books/Knitting_Patterns_Book_250.html • Lacis: http://lacis.com/catalog/catalog.html • Yesasia (http://www.yesasia.com/us/search/9784529041768/0-0-0-bpt.48_q.9784529041768-en/list.html) • Amazon.co.jp (http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=978-4-529-04176-8&x=14&y=22) • And various Etsy and eBay sellers.NOTE: please ensure that you get the book with a white cover and maroon title. There is a very similar book by Hirose Mitsuharu, with a cover that looks very similar, but with a bluish tone and purple title.

Supplies:

Basics (with cable needle, sewing-up needle, note taking gear, crochet hook)
Two or three balls of smooth yarn in sport to worsted weight (these can be leftovers, and white or light colors are best)
Appropriate needles, plus at least one extra needle or crochet hook.

S17 S (B) No-Stress Motif Joining Mary Beth Temple AM

So many people hate to join crocheted motifs, yet so many crocheters make motif-based projects!

In this class we will practice and compare five different methods of joining motifs, so you can make informed finishing decisions based on the ease, speed, and appearance of each method. Then you can pick the best method for each project on a case by case basis – and take the guesswork out of finishing.

S21 T (I) Two Right Sides – Double Knitting Basics Gwen Bortner PM

Double knit fabrics are often thought as one of the great mysteries of knitting. But reality is that there are only a few basics to get under your belt before you are ready to begin creating a double layer of fabric with two right sides. Learn the basics of two color double knitting including a simple cast on method, options for creating the fabric and a quick overview of working with color charts. This is just the tip of the iceberg of this fun and mysterious technique.

Supplies

1 - 2 oz each of two different color yarns of the same weight (DK to worsted)
Needles appropriate to the yarn selected

S22 D (I) Creating Stitch Patterns Cookie A PM

Learn how to create your own stitch patterns by studying what makes other stitch patterns. We'll go over knit/purl shapes, different ways to make diagonal lines, eyelets, cables, and curves as well as how different stitches affect the knitted fabric. Students can practice working pre-made stitch patterns to get a feel for how to create shapes using different techniques, or they can bring in their own shapes to work on the needles.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn
Size 7 needles

S23 T (B) Case of the Vanishing Cable Needle Candace Eisner Strick PM

We all know that those cable needles take off on us the first chance they get! They run between couch cushions, jump onto the floor of airplanes, and disappear everytime they get the chance. Now you can let them run away and not care. Learn how to cable without them, and come away with this great technique, as well as a better understanding of cable construction.

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn and appropriately sized double pointed needles
Bring some cables patterns that you are interested in, if you wish.

S24 D (I) Design a Knitted Bag Debra M Lee PM

Recycle your canvas tote bags. Get step-by-step instructions for designing your knitted bag using a canvas tote as its liner. Debra will cover gauge, ease and yarn selection. You’ll learn how to make a flat bottom; get tips for creating firm fabrics without felting; and take home a starter pattern.

Supplies:

Smooth medium/worsted weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors
Corresponding double-pointed needles and crochet hook
Pencil and calculator for some light math.

S25 S (B) Broomstick Lace Basics Mary Beth Temple PM

Join me as we explore the basics of the broomstick lace technique, including beginning, increasing, decreasing, and incorporating other stitches. Broomstick lace is one of the extended techniques that both crocheters and knitters seem to be more and more interested in, and it's a lot more versatile than most people suspect.

S31 P (B) Baby Surprise Amy Detjen ALL

When you knit this classic Elizabeth Zimmerman sweater, you think you’re knitting a potato chip. However, work 2 little seams and voila! One surprised knitter and a snug baby. In this class, we’ll use worsted weight yarn to knit a miniature BSJ (about 6 inches across) so that we can learn the pattern, play with increases, decreases, edge stitches and stripes, “work” shoulder seams, and apply I-cord. Both the original BSJ pattern and the mini-BSJ pattern are included with class fee.

Supplies:

One ball (200 or so yards) of sport weight yarn, and odd bits of other yarns if you want to add stripes (optional)
24” circular need (you can use straight, if you prefer) in size appropriate for your yarn (US 5 – 6, depending on if you knit loosely or tightly)
Set of double point needles (dpn) in same size (optional)
Sewing up needle

S32 T (B) Nuno Felting Judy Pascale ALL

In this class you will be using a Japanese art form to create a featherweight, contemporary Nuno Felted Scarf that drapes beautifully. Using a piece of silk and coaxing the fibers to easily penetrate, the result is a highly textured light weight accessory scarf. You will also learn to accent this scarf using hand dyed silk hankies and or contrasting colors to enhance your personal scarf. We will finish the class learning different ways of wearing these scarfs using closures and techniques that have the scarf staying in that position the entire time you wear them.

Material Fee: $20 for silk

Supplies:

Roving

S33 S (I) Slip Stitch Knitting Amy Tyler ALL

Slip stitches are terrific for creating color blends, complex-looking patterns in surprisingly simple ways, dramatic vertical and horizontal texture, and thick and toasty knitted fabrics. We will explore stitch patterns that involve slipping stitches with movement of the working yarn to the front and back; "mosaic" stitches; and slipping stitches over more than one row or over more than one stitch. We will cover the effects of slip stitches as applied to yarns of solid colors, variegated yarns, and combining yarns of various colors and textures. Our exploration will include knitting swatches, devising stitch patterns, and applications of slip stitches to various knitted items. Students will have an opportunity to start a hat or purse pattern that incorporates slip stitches.

Supplies:

Several small balls of yarn of different colors
Knitting needles of appropriate sizes to suit the yarns

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